Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Jasper Municipal Council approved the 2022-26 capital budget with some amendments during its regular meeting on Dec. 7.
Overall, the capital budget allocates $11.8 million in funding for projects carried forward from 2021 and $13.2 million in funding for new projects in 2022.
The capital budget includes $8.1 million towards renovations at the Jasper Activity Centre, along with other funding for a number of smaller new projects and carry forward projects.
Council members were presented the 2022-26 operating and capital budget on Nov. 22 and 23, and they made several amendments a week later during the committee of the whole meeting.
These amendments included funding the replacement of residential water meters, earmarked at $800,000, by borrowing to be supported through the utilities rates.
Meanwhile, the federal gas tax funding meant to finance this project would be redirected to other appropriate tax-funded projects in the capital budget.
During the Dec. 7 meeting, most of the discussion centred on the funding for the residential water meters.
Coun. Scott Wilson, who was the only member of council to vote against approving the budget, said he was worried about the equitability of this proposal, since homeowners would only bear the cost of the initial meter but not future ones, which would be paid for collectively through borrowing supported by utilities rates.
CAO Bill Given said it was more efficient to replace all the meters at once, and while some new assets were added privately, council seemed to consider water meters a physical asset within the public water system.
Council also amended the budget to add the arena sound system and the planning exercise for the Lions鈥� Park and Robson Park as funded items.
Since amendments to the capital budget may affect the need for 2022 tax dollars, the 2022 operating budget will be presented later to committee of the whole on Dec. 14.
Connaught construction
Council received an update on the Connaught Drive construction project, which wrapped up for the season on Nov. 19.
The goal of the project was to install utilities for future affordable housing.
鈥淭his is really about laying the groundwork for future housing in a community that really needs it,鈥� said Chris Timmons with Colliers Project Leaders, which worked with the municipality on the project.
鈥淭he efforts of this project really directly align with the municipality鈥檚 strategic priority of improving the supply of housing in Jasper, so it is a pretty big milestone.鈥�
The project team also included WSP and GS Construction.
Construction began later in the summer to avoid conflicting with the tourist season but also had to be completed before winter began.
Some wrap-up work will occur next spring.
Michael Steffler with WSP said this project had one of the most 鈥渋ntense timelines鈥� that the firm had ever needed to meet.
鈥淭he success of this project relies on the entire team coming together, pulling through,鈥� Steffler said, noting the 鈥渘o-quit attitude鈥� of GS Construction.
CAO Given noted how the municipality鈥檚 communications team had put out regular updates to keep the community and council informed.
Mayor Richard Ireland offered his thanks to municipal administration and the entire project team.
鈥淚t has been a real joy, and it has been 鈥� from my perspective 鈥� one of the least controversial disruptions of our community that we have faced,鈥� Ireland said.
鈥淓verybody recognizes the imperative of preparing for new housing.鈥�
Activity Centre Renovation
Council awarded the request for proposal for the Activity Centre renovation prime consultant to GEC Architecture in the amount of $521,531.
The Jasper Activity Centre consists of several municipal facilities, including the Jasper Fitness and Aquatic Centre and the Jasper Activity Centre/Arena, which also contains the municipal administration offices and a multipurpose hall.
Since the 1950s, various additions and renovations have occurred at the site.
In 2019, the municipality secured around $6,950,000 in grant and municipal tax funding for a major renovation of the facilities.
In 2021, council had budgeted $1,056,228 for design and engineering related to the facilities and an additional $200,000 for a structural review of the Fitness and Aquatics Centre.
The prime consultant is tasked with preparing the detailed design documents, construction drawings and specifications required for the construction project.
It will also work with subcontractors, which were included as part of its submission.
The selection committee shortlisted three out of five valid submissions received before the deadline, with GEC Architecture ranking the highest.
Council previously awarded project management services on the Activity Centre renovation to WSP Projects Inc.
